NATCHEZ — When the Cathedral baseball team takes the plays Mount Olive at Chester Willis Field for its first playoff game this season, the Green Wave will be playing their first game since a win over Franklin County April 18.

With that a layoff before the biggest game of the year, head coach Craig Beesley has worked hard to keep his players focused and sharp, he said.

“We’ve had some good practices this week,” Beesley said. “Tomorrow night, we are going to practice under the lights and go over the final gameplan.”

Beesley said the team has focused on defense a good bit during the long layoff.

“(The players) are ready to get back on the field and play,” Beesley said. “Not only have we been off for 10 days, but we’ve been out of school since Thursday (due to the holiday), so it’s kind of hard to keep focus, and the long holiday has them off their normal schedule.”

Beesley said the layoff could not have come at a worse time, because Cathedral was playing its best ball of the season.

Friday’s opponent, Mount Olive, presents a couple of problems for the Green Wave, Beesley said.

“We know they are real athletic, so we have to hit the ball on the ground, because if not, the outfielders (will run fly balls down),” Beesley said.

Also, Mount Olive pitcher Reuben Duckworth is a workhorse that beat the Green Wave as a freshman with an 11-inning performance, Beesley said.

“(Duckworth) is a really good lefty, who throws around 82-83 mph, and he can chew up a lot of innings,” Beesley said.

Beesley said the keys for his team in Game 1 will be on the mound and staying on top of the ball at the plate.

“I feel if Tyler (Morrison) can go out and have a good performance on the mound, and if we can put the ball on the ground and make their infield make plays we have a chance,” Beesley said.

Game 1 of the best-of-three series will be at 6 p.m. Friday. Game 2 will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Mount Olive and Game 3 will be played at 6 p.m. Monday back at Chester Willis Field if necessary.